A six-year-old boy in Wyoming, US, is being hailed a hero after his family said he was injured while protecting his sister from a dog attack.

Bridger and his sister. Instagram photo. 

Bridger Walker, the boy in question, was injured when he jumped in front of a dog that was chasing his sister last week, according to his aunt, Nikki Walker, who posted on Instagram.

Despite being bitten multiple times on the cheek by an unidentified dog, the boy grabbed his sister’s hand and led her to safety. “If anyone had to die, I thought it would be me,” he told his aunt.

According to the NY Post, the boy required 90 stitches, with serious injuries to his mouth, left cheek and eye. Nikki said the boy is recovering quickly at home and the wounds are healing. “He is in good spirits and his wonderful personality is still intact,” Nikki posted on Instagram.

Nikki also said the family had no ill will or resentment towards the dog’s owners, who had been “very kind and caring to Bridger and his family”.

Nikki added that she shared this story in the hope of receiving more encouragement from the heroes that the boy admires, such as actors Vin Diesel, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Holland or Chris Hemsworth.